Thursday, August 12, 2010

I am in LOVE with organic ginger root! I use it on everything! When in doubt,add ginger! it goes into my smoothies, salads, quinoa dishes etc...I am always so bummed when they are out of the organic root at my grocery store! Even though I new the benefits already, or at least I thought I did, seeing the rockin' top 20 list has got me even more excited. Thanks to healthsummaries.com! Save on expensive, fancy supplements & use therapeutic doses of ginger!

1. Highly valued as a spice, ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used medicinally for thousands of years by Chinese physicians. Ginger acts as an antioxidant and has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and pain-killing properties. It also improves liver function and lowers cholesterol as well as having beneficial effects on the heart. Ginger has anti-ulcer activity and improves the function of the muscles in the gut while helping to relieve spasm. Ginger is also valued for its warming properties.

- Nicola Reavley, The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs

2. Ginger helps the body to sweat, so toxins are drawn to the skin's surface. To prepare the ginger bath, place half-inch slices of fresh ginger in boiling water over a stove; turn off the heat, and steep for thirty minutes. Remove the ginger, and add that water into a tub already filled with hot water.

3. Try some ginger ale — ginger is a known stomach soother. It's best to drink flat ginger ale at room temperature (cold beverages will irritate an upset stomach). Take tiny sips, especially if you have already vomited. If you can keep that down, sip a bit more. If you're out of ginger ale, you can try making a cup of ginger tea (with grated gingerroot). Some people even find relief by nibbling on a gingersnap.

5. Ginger has been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors in the colon in animal studies.

- Andreas Moritz, Cancer Is Not A Disease - It's A Survival Mechanism

6. Ginger root extract (gingerols) inhibits the growth of Helicobacter pylori in the digestive tract, which is a bacterium linked to stomach cancer.

- Andreas Moritz, Cancer Is Not A Disease - It's A Survival Mechanism

7. Ginger stimulates blood circulation. These effects make it useful in treating a number of disorders marked by swelling and pain, such as arthritis. A three-year study of fifty-six people with rheumatoid arthritis found that about 75 percent of the subjects achieved relief from pain and swelling by taking powdered ginger.

- Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies

8. If you take ginger for medicinal purposes, the powder form is the best because of its high concentration of nutrients. Take 4 grams (about 1 teaspoon) of powder divided in two to four doses over the course of the day. Ginger tea is a good herbal tonic for influenza because of its soothing qualities and its antiviral abilities. To make fresh ginger tea, cut a one-inch slice of fresh ginger-root into small slivers. Place the ginger in a pot and simmer at a near boil for about 15 minutes, then strain into a cup. Add a little honey to taste.

9. For centuries, ginger has been prescribed by Ayurvedic and Indian healers to treat the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Ginger contains natural anti-inflammatory agents called gingeroles. Fresh ginger, however, also contains compounds called shogaoles, which can cause stomach irritation in some people.

- Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to Hundreds of NEW Natural Products that Will Help You Live Longer, Look Better, Stay Heathier, ... and Much More!

11. Ginger supplementation helped to modulate immune activity in a beneficial direction, suggesting usefulness in control of chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Another study of ginger found that the herb could help control the risk factors involved in "syndrome X," which combine to greatly increase risk of type 2 diabetes — a condition that creates severe inflammation throughout the body because of the pro-inflammatory effects of high blood sugar and high insulin levels.

12. A double-blind study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association compared the effects of ginger and Dramamine, a common over-the-counter motion sickness drug, and found that ginger was actually more effective. In addition, ginger had none of the side effects — such as drowsiness — of the commercial drug. Ginger is an even more effective anticoagulant than garlic or onions; gin-gerol, one of its compounds, has a structure very much like that of aspirin, which also thins the blood. Ginger is a folk remedy for menstrual cramps.

- Gary Null, Get Healthy Now with Gary Null: A Complete Guide to Prevention, Treatment and Healthy Living

13. Ginger is an inexpensive, effective, and nearly universally available remedy for inflammation and pain. It is used to treat cramping that accompanies constipation and to relieve peptic ulcers. In China, ginger has been put to the novel use of helping to turn breech babies by giving the mother ginger teas before delivery.

- Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies

14. To test the ability of ginger to reduce inflammation, a preliminary clinical study was conducted on seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis in whom conventional drugs had provided only temporary or partial relief. One patient took 50 grams per day of lightly cooked ginger, while the remaining six took either 5 grams of fresh ginger or 0.1 to 1 gram of powdered ginger daily. All patients reported substantial improvement, including pain relief, increased joint mobility, and decreased swelling and morning stiffness.

15. Ginger has a long tradition of being very useful in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, including the nausea and vomiting typical of pregnancy. Although the mechanism of action has yet to be elucidated, current thought is that this is due more to ginger’s effects on the gastrointestinal tract than to any effects on the brain. Ginger’s anti-vomiting action has been studied in the most severe form of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, known as hyperemesis gravidum.

16. Ginger also can settle stomach upset caused by food allergies. Ginger inhibits the production of immune-system components called cytokines, chemicals that create a long-term tendency toward inflammation.

- Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies

17. In Japan, ginger's anti-parasitic effect is put to use in the preparation of sushi, which is traditionally eaten with pickled ginger. In the laboratory, ginger extracts have been shown to kill the anisakid worm, a parasite sometimes carried in raw fish, within sixteen hours, about the length of time the parasite would have to establish itself in the digestive tract after consumption of contaminated fish.

- Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies

18. Fresh ginger is used to help break down high-protein foods such as meats and beans and lessen the effect of uric acids in the body from eating these foods. Dried ginger feeds the properties of foods and herbs to the lower extremities — the colon, kidneys, ovaries, sexual organs, and legs; it also treats motion sickness, and is most convenient in the form of capsules or a tincture for this purpose. Ginger should not be used when signs of heat are present.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

NEW announcement! My good friend, Ariane Glazer's dream was to put together a regional midwest healthy living festival. Her dream has come a reality. She has put together the most amazing weekend and its all happening next weekend. The Green Synergy Festival takes place the weekend of the 22nd in August at Ronora Retreat Center in Michigan. Check out the details below. There are some special discounts before a certain date so be sure to check it out! Plus, there are DAY passes for those that would enjoy a 90 minute drive up to the Michigan location for the day.

Green Synergy Festival

Healthy Weekend Getaway!August 20-22, 2010

See how great you can feel!
Just show up and we’ll take care of everything!

ONLY $250 for the Festival Package! *

Organic, Raw, Vegan Meals created by Hello Kitchen: All organic, local from family farms, fresh and made with pure love! All Gluten-free. Diabetic option. Nutritious, yummy meals for 3 days, a value of $150.00 – INCLUDED.

-Certain foods that are highly concentrated in specific nutrients including KEY MINERALS that activate your body's functions to speed up metabolism, jumpstart weight loss, turn on the anti-aging genes & more

-Food choices that enhance your inner beauty that reflect outward including foods and minerals that enhance collagen production, create more flexibility and elasticity in your skin, tissues and organs & help manage hormones

P.S. Please if you know someone that would be a good fit and would enjoy my style of teaching and information, pass it on!There are soooo many busy ladeez in search of this type of workshop!

Here's the DISCLAIMER--(I know they are some weird ones below, but I just gotta say it or we'll get some weird ones in the bunch & will throw off everybody's experience!)

This workshop is perfect for you if:

-You are open to new things, ideas, flavors etc.

-If you love the kitchen and fabulous foods that are both tasty and nutritious( or open to learning)

-if you are sick of the No-NO-NO approach to diet, health and detox & you are looking for a healthy, natural and sustainable way of engaging in foods

-if you really want to know what's going on out there in health foods stores, ie.. what to buy, how to choose, what you are being sold( and some of it being sold as "healthy")

-if you really want to enjoy your food program & integrate a lifestyle as opposed to some "quick fix"!

-if you want to immerse yourself as opposed to dabbling your toes in some system, pill etc.. that you are not really committed to

Please don't register if:

-You are closed to new ideas

-If you are very stuck on ways foods have to be &have to taste

-If you do not enjoy a whole plethora of different tastes and textures

-If you are a whiner, complainer, debbie downer, or energy sucker or attention getter

If you are very regimented with the way you eat now and "already" have an idea of what you think is good for you

if you are overly obsessed with calories, fat grams etc... ( a little obsessing is ok, but if its how you rule your world, probably not going to be into my class/philosophies)

-if you are easily offended by some f-bombs dropped once in a while or the use of words like friggin, sh*t,crap etc...

Do know that I LOVE working with people, connecting and sharing foods & ideas. I've got a unique style & approach, usually say things wildly over the top yet usually true etc...all in which makes it way more fun!

I like the atmosphere to be fun, light, and allow for people to be fully immersed, engaged & get a lot of the experience.

So some people are just not the right fit & thats ok!
The ones who do show up, love it and usually, and in most cases, if you're working with me for awhile, your life transforms on some level and usually many levels.

I make large batches of the fresh mylk at a time so I have a few days worth

If you'd like to "cheat", I mean, make it easier but not as nutritious on yourself use:

2 cups rice milk, hemp milk, almond milk, So Delicious coconut milk or any of the other store bought brands, remember these are pasteurized so they have very little nutritional value.

-2 cup water or fresh coconut water from the inside of a thai coconut

(again, not the store bought coconut water)

-1/2 cup chia seed gel

(ok, here's how this baby works, take 1 cup chia place in 4 cups purified water, let soak in glass jar overnight, it will turn into a gel like substance, store this gel in fridge and use scoops of the end product daily in all types of smoothies, puddings, etc....) This process of soaking really makes a difference in how effective the chia works. It makes it a hella' lot more bio-available, does not bloat the belly, and blends easier making drinks more "creamy"

NOTE- if you don't know, chias amazing for Omega 3, calcium, antioxidants, fiber and is like a natural colon cleanser... so perfect for daily cleaning, no need to go on a "detox" just "BE"cleansing your system daily by using chia=:)

-3 Heaping TB of vitality from Sami's Superfoods

-1/2 frozen banana(yes, take the peels off b/f freezing) or 1/3 bag of you fave frozen/fresh berries

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

OMG! How cool is this? The beauty and yoga mineral known to rebuild collagen and connective tissue has been bottled for you! Silica creates more "juiciness" in tissues allowing for more hydration, flexibility and elasticity to happen in your body! Plus, the highest concentrations are in your hair and nails. A 1993 study of oral silica improved the condition of aging skin, hair and nails. Silica increased the thickness and strength of skin, improved wrinkles and gave hair and nails a healthier appearance. ( Eating for Beauty)! This is the product to include in any beauty regimen as it works deep and from the inside out.

Here's what Sami has to say on B.O.B.!True Beauty is an inside job!

Why waste your time and money on expensive cosmetic procedures that are toxic for your body?

Better Than Botox is made using a proprietary process that transforms pure mineral crystals into a fully hydrated, 100% bio-available liquid ionic supplement. This makes it easy to swallow and gentle on the stomach. Made in the USA and quality tested to assure safety and potency.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

I am excited to announce the new superfood mix that is now available in my inner beauty boutique. A new option to spice up your smoothies, protein drinks, green drinks etc...

Not as chocolate-y as "Bliss" but more potent in Maca & Hemp. PLUS... added benefit... it contains palm sugar crystals from the coconut so the sweetness is already in there, no need to add agave or honey.

It mixes great with fresh homemade nut or seed mylks or coconut water and fresh or frozen fruit. It also can be added to any smoothie that you already make for an extra boost!

To try Sami's NEW vitality, I am offering 10% off your first bag! its 22oz( 1 & 1/2 lbs) for $45 and then the special discount will be applied on all pre-orders. To purchase, email me or call me @ 312-543-3735.

One of my incredible colleagues and clients was so inspired by health & wellness in relationship to natural beauty from my lifestyle workshop a few years ago, she created "if a goddess wore make-up"! Long-time make-up artist for weddings and special events for over 20 years, Sheila Hansen switched her focus to natural, green, and healthier options for both skin/body care & make-up!

After a year of success at the Galleria with the the 'goddess" boutique, she came up with a brilliant idea to place some of my elite products in her space that focus on inner beauty and compliment what she's doing!

Alas, a lightbulb went off for me and it was a synergy meant to happen. All this time, I have been talking about vitamin C, MSM, silica, antioxidants, mineralization, greens, superfoods and how all this affects your health, cleansing & your body but plays a major role in both your beauty and longevity!

So we've teamed up and now I have a home for some of my amazing picks that enhance your flow and your glow from the inside out!

Please welcome, Lisa Persico's INNER beauty boutique.

To check out the new space and some of my new featured products, I'll be doing a tasting on July 1st from 5pm to 7pm at the Andersonville Galleria( see invite above for more info)! Some of you have heard through the grapevine that I am carrying the NEW vitality( a new version of bliss). I am pleased to announce it is in and will be sampled on thursday!

Friday, April 23, 2010

As many of you know, my classes are filled with tons of info and fun, tasty, mega-nutritious recipes and snacks. I’m always thinking of ways to incorporate the best of the raw, exotic superfood world into my recipes and the less time I spend in the kitchen, the better. One of the main goals of the ecoLUXE lifestyle is to provide the real deal in food and nutrition. I thought the best way to do that is to share an easy, signature healixir each week with you!

This week is my signature Skinny Latte, a must for those trying to kick the Starbucks habit. This latte is like nothing else you’ve tried! It’s low calorie, jam-packed with medicinal, healing nutrition and free of weird chemicals, soy isolates and other gross things that don’t belong in your body. Read on to discover one of the quickest, most delicious ways to rejuvenate and repair, naturally detox and feel fabulous!

The Skinny Latte Healixir

Makes 40 oz- split into two and drink 1 in morning or kick-off and one in after as pick me up

Or

sip on all day( yes, you can skip breakfast & lunch and sip your way into skinny & actually feel complete, satisfied and cravings minimized!)

½ cup Chocolate Bliss Superfood Blend( more on that in upcoming blogs-this stuff is a hidden gem-it’s a beauty elixir in itself)

¼ cup to ½ cup Vanilla Bean Agave (based on desired sweetness however, if you have to do a whole bunch of banana etc to make it sweet enough just use the agave…. and be sure it’s the vanilla bean agave—see here for the real deal on agave.)

3 TB pristine hemp seeds (get your protein here!)

2 TB ultra tocotrienols (raw vitamin E extract from fermented wild rice- no carbs, no sugar…high nutrients, high antioxidants, high protein.. what could be better!!)

Pinch of sun fire salt (high platinum salt with loads of minerals and keeps you hydrated)

To spice it up--

Hint of cinnamon

Hint of cayenne

Hint of nutmeg

Place in 2 cups waters and whip well in high speed blender

Fold remaining 2 ½ cups of water or ½ water and ice and blend

Chill!

Can make night before or morning of and travel with on-the-go!

This is the endless drink of new and fun options that can be tweaked in just a hair and it never gets old…

Stay tuned for new varieties and upgrades to supercharge your “skinny” and get the biggest bang for your buck!

We could go on and on about how great Chocolate Bliss makes us feel or write catchy songs to sing its praises, but everyone wants to know, what exactly is in bliss? Clickon the image below to read about all 21 superfood ingredients and their medicinal properties found in each bag of Bliss. Try to emulate if you dare, but you’ll need much more than tablespoon measurer to get the perfect mix together (unless you’re some sort of superfood genius alchemist).

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Are you confused on everything that's out there is regards to detox, cleansing etc.?

Are you looking to implement a program that's safe and effective but does not require a whole bunch of weird stuff that's difficult, too time consuming and confusing( and frankly tastes like crap)?

Well , I am Lisa Persico, and I have been leading detoxes with groups and private clients for 4 1/2 years in Chicago and in different part of the country. (I also was the originator of the detox at Cousin' restaurant and began leading the workshops there when it first began.)

On this upcoming complimentary powerful call, I am going to share with you my top 5 success secrets when it comes to deciding on a detox, implementing your detox into your life and staying on the detox!

On Feb 18th At 8pm CST, I'll review the truths and misconceptions in regards to detox and how you can incorporate one that's the right fit for you.

On this call-learn:
-Why detox is the #1 way to jumpstart or restart a healthy living lifestyle

-the #1 secret to any detox and if you're not doing it, it will fore sure not be effective as it could and should

-how all programs, kits, products are not created equal and what to look for when choosing

-Learn my secret and personal definition of what I feel detox is and if you are not in this mindset, it may sabotage you

-Why putting it off and waiting for that "right time" will never come( when to know its time to detox)

-and more!

I find that many people are struggling with what to do so I am pulling back the curtain and giving you my all.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

This comes to you from Tonya Williams, an incredible weight loss coach & expert!

I love this article because in our fast passed world of go-go-go, she's slowing things down a bit. It's a great reminder for all of us to savor the journey, enjoy life & stay connected with what's going on!

Leave a comment below and share what you're thinking! Would love to hear from you!

THE SLOW MOVEMENTby Tonya Williams

Where you going? Seriously, where are you going?What’s the hurry?This is what I asked myself this morning when I started to experience a little bit of anxiety around several projects that I have on the table.For no reason at all, I started putting these rigid time limits on myself, which creates this crazy woman madness that usually results in a meltdown, ranging from small to massive.In Western society, we seem to have two speeds, either all out speeds of lightening or halt.The “halt” usually occurs when we just can’t go any further and either sickness or brain fog has taken over. When clients come to me to lose weight, they most often want a fast, quick fix. They want to lose weight yesterday. “What’s the hurry,” I ask them.Sometimes I’ll hear things like a high school reunion or bathing suit season, but most often, they don’t know why they want it fast. They are just accustomed to wanting to lose weight fast. Well, to all of you fast paced, gotta-have-it-yesterday people out there (and hey, I’m a part of that tribe too), let’s join the new movement of living slow.There’s already people who have chosen to step outside of the mainstream fast society and start things like the slow food movement and live more intentionally and consciously versus running around like scattering rats chasing a piece of cheese that keeps moving.In fact, while on a sailing trip, I saw a t-shirt that read, “Sail fast, live slow.” Does it seem impossible to slow down? Well, there are actually several good reasons why slowing down is a good thing.

1 - When you go slow, you get to savor the journeyCheck out these two examples:The Fast Paced LifeIf you want to experience the devastation of the fast paced life, then simply drive through the McDonald’s drive thru window and order the Big Mac special. Now, eat it while also driving, listening to the radio and talking to the kids. How long does it take? Maybe five minutes.Did you really enjoy it? I mean really enjoy it?How does your body feel? Energized? Or like a brick?What about your emotions? Are you feeling excited and content? Or full of guilt and sadness?Now, consider a different option:The Slow Paced LifeTake the time to stop by the grocery store (or better yet, the local farmer’s market) and peruse the fresh, local vegetables. Pick it up and feel it, smell it, and maybe even taste it. Buy your groceries, go home, and with gratitude and excitement, start preparing your dinner. Put some music on, light a candle and maybe even have a glass of wine. Take some time out to help the kids with their homework while dinner is cooking. Maybe even do a load of laundry while Frank Sinatra (or Christine Kane) fills the background.When dinner is ready, take the time to set the table, light some more candles and then sit down and enjoy every bite. No guilt. No deprivation. Just mindful, slow enjoyment of your meal.So, which life would you prefer?Check in with your brilliant body and notice which one your body prefers? Does one elicit a stressed, hurried panic feeling? Does another make you feel relaxed, content and joyful?Living slow allows you to enjoy the process of living.

2 - When you go slow, you make less mistakesAs a nurse, there are times when you do not have the option to go slow. Things are happening, people are dying, and you must act...fast. Not surprisingly, this is when a lot of medical errors are made. Most often, when you are living at such a fast pace, your attention becomes scattered and careless mistakes are made.When you eat fast, you overeat.When you exercise fast, you injure yourself.When you live fast, you sometimes lose your way.Living slow allows you to be more attentive and intentional.Ironically, living slow actually makes your more productive, allowing you to achieve far more than when you are going a million miles a minute.

3 - When you go slow, you stay connected“I want to lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks,” Lisa told me during our first session.“Why?”“Because, I have a big gala event in 2 weeks, and I want to look fabulous,” she replied.Like Lisa, we’ve all been there, or at least I know I have - whether it be my weight, a man or money. I wanted it...like yesterday.But here’s what I have discovered about wanting things to happen fast: it most often requires that you disconnect from yourself to achieve it.The body does not enjoy the deprivation and intensity that is required to lose weight fast.The mind does not enjoy the stress and worry that goes into wanting things to happen now. What the deepest part of us wants is for us to slow down long enough to stay connected to our truth before we sprint out of the gate chasing some illusion.I’ve noticed that when I slow down and live intentionally, while also honoring my body, mind and spirit, things seem to happen almost effortlessly. The weight comes off naturally, the money flows in and the man did appear.I did not need to sacrifice my own well-being to make it happen. I simply had to slow down long enough to hear my own wisdom.______________________________________________In a society where we come out of the womb going fast, with weekly play dates, Baby Mozart sing-a-longs and at least several other activities to fill the day, it is often difficult to imagine a life that isn’t on speed.However, slowing down is a choice that we all can make. It requires that we slow down long enough to consider what is most important to us, and then slow, steadily and intentionally, move in the direction of our purpose. Surprisingly, most often you’ll discover that the “hurry” is self-inflicted and not necessary. The journey is much more enjoyable when you slow down long enough to take it all in.

And then, like magic, everything you ever wanted begins to manifest.

So, what’s your hurry?

Tonya Leigh Williams is a coach, speaker, and writer. She is also the founder of Just B Living, a company dedicated to empowering women to create amazing lives and bodies without dieting, deprivation and drama. If you want to learn more about how to lose weight from the inside out, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to the Just B E-zine, you can click here: http://www.justbliving.com/signup.html